Trainer Stuart Kendrick again confirmed his prowess with cheap horses when Uncomplicated won at the Sunshine Coast and he hopes to continue it on a bigger stage this week.
Kendrick has Eric The Eel, a $6000 buy, in the Group One ATC Australian Derby on Saturday.
While Uncomplicated’s win is a long way from Randwick on an autumn carnival day, Kendrick admitted Uncomplicated’s debut win gave him a special thrill.
Uncomplicated ($41) never went around a horse before flashing home to win over 1000m two-year-old race in a six-horse blanket finish.
Kendrick paid only $3000 for Uncomplicated from an online sale last year.
She is by Akeed Mofeed who was a two-time Group One winner in Hong Kong and has had success as a sire in Victoria.
“I got three horses off the online sale and she was the cheapest,” Kendrick said.
“Early days she looked like being pretty handy and I put a couple of old friends in her.
“But she hadn’t shown much since and I think they were thinking of throwing rocks at me.”
“Her recent trial was just OK but she might be ready to live up to her early potential.”
The coronavirus restrictions mean Kendrick is unable to travel to Sydney for the Derby.
Eric The Eel is being stabled with trainer Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm.
“He has travelled down well and Bjorn sent us a video this morning of him,” Kendrick said.
“We can’t be there but it will be a big party at Doomben if he runs well but then again there are no bars open so we will have to toast him with water.”
Trainer Chris Munce continued his long association with syndicator Shelly Hancox when Al Jood scored an easy win in the Flying Doctor Handicap (1800m).
Munce, who as a jockey won the Group One Goodwood Hcp on Sword for Hancox, had hoped to run the filly in the Queensland Oaks but the winter carnival has been scrapped.
“Dad will look for some longer races for her and she has a long term future,” Munce’s son Corey said.